Noah Edwards
Columbus Christian had its chances down the stretch, but couldn’t quite come up with the big basket to to tie or take the lead.
As a result, Legacy Elite Academy was able to hold on for a 66-60 boys basketball victory Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the Indiana Christian Schools Athletic Association South Regional on the Crusaders’ floor.
“We had a game plan, and I thought we executed for the most part,” Columbus Christian coach Kevin Roth said. “But we didn’t get many shots to fall. I felt like we had some opportunities down the stretch there and had some good looks and didn’t finish.”
The Crusaders (15-19) rallied from a 10-point deficit early in the second quarter to take a 30-27 halftime lead. They took their last lead at 38-37 midway through the third after back-to-back 3-pointers by Jacob Bell.
Legacy Elite (17-3) forged ahead 56-50 with 3:50 left in the game. Columbus Christian got back to within 63-60 and with 47 seconds remaining and came up with a turnover, but missed a shot to cut it to one, and Legacy made three of four free throws in the final 11 seconds.
Noah Edwards led a balanced scoring effort with 14 points and nine rebounds. Jordan Burton scored 13 points, Peyton Walden had 11 points and 10 rebounds, Bell notched 10 points and Branson Carr added eight points and nine rebounds.
“I thought Branson Carr and Jayden Howe gave us a big lift in the second quarter off the bench,” Roth said.
The Crusaders will play in the National Association of Christian Athletes Division VII Tournament Wednesday through Friday in Dayton, Tennessee. If they reach the title game, that will be on Saturday.
“It’s tough for the seniors and those guys that played four years,” Roth said. “Now, we just have to regroup.”
Legacy Elite Academy 66, Columbus Christian 60
Columbus Christian;10;20;12;18;—;60
Legacy Elite;18;9;20;19;—;66
Columbus Christian (15-19): Jordan Burton 4 2-2 13, Jacob Bell 3 2-5 10, Noah Edwards 4 6-10 14, Jayden Howe 2 0-0 4, Peyton Walden 3 5-6 11, Branson Carr 3 2-5 8. Totals: 19 17-28 60.
Legacy Elite (17-3): Trevin Long 1 0-0 2, Xane Neier 3 3-4 9, Brody Beasley 0 0-0 0, Matthew Perkins 0 0-0 0, Philip Fitzsimmons 21-2 6, Riley Long 9 7-11 28, Casen Masters 5 2-5 12, Judah Amis 2 5-6 9. Totals: 22 18-28 66.
3-point goals: Columbus Christian 5 (Burton 3, Bell 2); Legacy Elite 4 (Long 3, Fitzsimmons).
